New Delhi: Rithwik Rudra, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the post of Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), as the tenure of incumbent chief Tapan Deka is scheduled to conclude on June 30 this year.
According to information available with The Chenab Times, Tapan Deka – who has been heading the Intelligence Bureau since 2022 and has already received two extensions – is unlikely to receive another extension beyond June 2026.
Sources indicated that Rithwik Rudra is currently serving as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau and is considered one of the strongest names under consideration for the country’s top intelligence position.
Another senior IPS officer, Sunita Khakhran, who is also serving as Special Director in the IB, is reportedly among the other prominent contenders for the post.
Tapan Deka’s Tenure Nearing Completion
Tapan Deka was initially appointed as Director of the Intelligence Bureau in 2022 for a fixed two-year tenure.
In 2024, he was granted a one-year extension, extending his tenure till 2025. Subsequently, he received another extension, which is set to expire on June 30, 2026.
With the government expected to take a final decision in the coming weeks, speculation has intensified around the appointment of the next IB Director.
Senior Intelligence Officer With Extensive IB Experience
Rithwik Rudra belongs to the 1993 batch of the Indian Police Service and is an officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre.
He has spent a substantial part of his career within the Intelligence Bureau and is regarded in police and intelligence circles as an experienced and highly efficient officer.
Currently serving as Special Director in the IB under the Ministry of Home Affairs since September 2024, Rudra previously held the positions of Additional Director and Joint Director in the agency.
In 2023, he was entrusted with overseeing operations in sensitive regions including Chhattisgarh and Odisha, where he supervised three specialised operational groups dealing with internal security matters.
Officials familiar with his work describe him as an intelligence expert with deep operational experience and strategic understanding of internal security challenges.
Empanelled for DG Rank
Rithwik Rudra has already been empanelled to the rank of Director General in the Government of India.
He also holds a proforma promotion to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in his parent Himachal Pradesh cadre.
His long tenure in intelligence assignments is believed to have strengthened his prospects for the top IB position.
A Second-Generation IPS Officer
One of the notable aspects of Rithwik Rudra’s background is that he comes from a family deeply associated with policing and public service.
His father was also a distinguished IPS officer who served as Director General of Police in Haryana.
Police officers who know Rudra often describe him as a second-generation “top cop” who followed his father’s legacy into the Indian Police Service and built a high-profile intelligence career of his own.
Educational Background and Early Life
Born in Delhi, which is also considered his home state, Rithwik Rudra pursued higher education before joining the civil services.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree.
He entered the Indian Police Service as a direct recruit through the UPSC Civil Services Examination and officially joined service on September 4, 1994.
Recognition and Service Honours
During his career, Rithwik Rudra has received recognition for his contribution to policing and intelligence operations.
He was awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PMMS) in 2009.
Colleagues and officials familiar with his career say his professionalism, operational acumen, and intelligence expertise have earned him a strong reputation within the security establishment.
Sunita Khakhran Also Among Key Contenders
Apart from Rithwik Rudra, senior IPS officer Sunita Khakhran is also reportedly being considered for the IB Director post.
Khakhran is a 1996-batch IPS officer from the Odisha cadre and currently serves as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau.
Her name is also understood to be among the senior officers under consideration for the top intelligence assignment.
Parallel Developments in CBI Director Appointment
Meanwhile, another major appointment process in the country’s security establishment is also underway.
A high-level selection committee comprising Narendra Modi, Surya Kant, and Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet next week, likely on May 12, to finalise the appointment of the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The tenure of current CBI Director Praveen Sood is ending on May 31, 2026, and sources suggest he is also unlikely to receive another extension.
Praveen Sood has been serving on a one-year extension beyond his original fixed two-year tenure that began in May 2023.
According to sources, the names being considered for the next CBI Director include:
- Rajeev Sharma
- Praveer Ranjan
- GP Singh
With appointments to both the Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation expected soon, significant leadership changes are likely in India’s top security and intelligence institutions over the coming months.
